UAAP: With relaxed mindset, UST excited to face NU in title rematch

FILE–UST Tigresses’ Detdet Pepito and NU Lady Bulldogs’ Bella Belen during UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Detdet Pepito urged the University of Santo Tomas Tigresses to keep playing loose when they renew their rivalry against last year’s Finals tormentor National University Lady Bulldogs.

The Season 86 Finals rematch highlights the final day of the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball first round next Sunday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

READ: UAAP: UST sweeps Ateneo for 5 straight wins in women’s volleyball

Since losing the opener to Far Eastern University, UST has won five straight games capped by a 25-20, 25-23, 25-21 sweep of Ateneo for a 5-1 record — behind unbeaten NU (5-0) — on Sunday at Mall of Asia Arena.

“At first, we pressured ourselves as a team, thinking, ‘We were silver last season.’ But we realized that having that kind of mindset wasn’t healthy or helpful,” said Pepito, who had eight digs and eight receptions.

Facing her childhood best friend Bella Belen and the Lady Bulldogs, who swept them in last year’s finals, the UST captain will keep on enjoying the moment and taking all the learnings from another much-anticipated game.

READ: UAAP: No stopping UST Tigresses in roaring to fourth straight

“This time, we’re just playing while enjoying and sticking to our system,” Pepito said. “We’re always excited to face them because we know we’ll learn a lot from them, especially from Belen.”

“Hopefully, we can win at least one against Belen. Please, let us have one,” she quipped with laughter.

Coming off a three-game stretch since last week, Pepito and the Tigresses will maximize their week-long break to prepare for the unbeaten Lady Bulldogs.

“We will really grab the opportunity of having almost a week of preparation and give our best, sacrificing everything this time,” she said. “We will still focus on our recovery since health has been our biggest challenge this season. Take care of ourselves, love ourselves, and fight in the UAAP.”